Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is still a foreign term to many phone users, but as the technology continues to improve, and the prices keep falling, this new-way-to-phone stands to make big noise in the coming years as customers continue to give up their land line phones in search of better, more cost-effective options.
What follows are some common myths about the VOIP technology and the real information you need to know.
Myths and Facts about VOIP:
Myth: The sound quality is poor.
Fact: The first generation of VOIP technologically did have its share of issues, but all these services have since upgraded their technology significantly in the past two years. Now, VOIP customers can enjoy crystal-clear conversations that are on par with any traditional carrier.
Myth: You can only save money by calling other VOIP phone numbers
Fact: One of the biggest VOIP selling points continues to be free user-to-user calling over the network, however there are also considerable savings to be found in calling packages with VOIP service providers. In fact, many are competitively priced well below the large long-distance carriers.
Myth: The service is unreliable.
Fact: Individuals using VOIP for the calls reports no more dropped calls or service gaps than those using traditional cell phone or land line services.
While some companies experienced a rough start in this regard, additional testing and better hardware/software has helped make the service run smoothly.
Myth: Setting up a VOIP system is too complicated
Fact: For most VOIP systems, setting up is as easy as “plug and play.” In fact, if you have been able to get your cable TV or wireless in-home Internet working properly you should have no problem getting the VOIP system set up as well. Also, VOIP providers have spent time expanding their customer service departments. Customers who felt intimated by the technology can count on round-the-clock service and support centers to help answer their questions about VOIP installation, troubleshooting or general use.
Myth: Nobody is using VOIP for their calls.
Fact: On the contrary, more and more people are switching to VOIP for their personal and business use. According to industry sources, VOIP users are expected to grow in number by over 21% in 2008 with addition growth projected for 2009.
Myth: You can’t use a cell phone with VOIP
Fact: Initially, one of the biggest challenges facing the VOIP industry was giving people the ability to use their own phones when accessing the technology. Seeing that any real growth would be tied to this issue, VOIP providers are now offering dual handset capability which allows the user to seamlessly switch between their cell phone’s network and a wi-fi network carry the VOIP service.
By: Mark Etinger
Posts Tagged ‘Voip Phone’
Myths and Facts About VOIP
January 30th, 2010How Does VoIP Really Work?
January 30th, 2010
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. By using a VoIP phone and VoIP technology you can effectively use the internet to make phone calls. VoIP does this by placing the voice calls on network which encrypts the voice in data packets at one end and encrypts it in voice calls at the other end. In VoIP, encryption and decryption is from a analog signal (i.e. your voice call) into digital signal (data packets) and again into the analog signal.
You can make VOIP calls by a regular phone with VOIP adapter or even from your computer using a simple microphone. VoIP applications can generally be used with a simple microphone and computer speakers, but IP telephones or VoIP boxes can also be used, providing an experience identical to normal telephoning. Many VOIP manufacturers are designing phones which are specially meant to work with this technology, called SIP phone, and now extensively used by growing VoIP users.
In the past year, the quality and reliability of VoIP technology has improved to the point that vast numbers of users have abandoned their standard telephone contracts entirely, in favor of VoIP. Local as well as long distance calling is available for VoIP. Rates and plans can vary from one VoIP service provider to another VoIP service provider.
Advantages of using VOIP
Using VOIP you can effectively cut down your phone bills, since you just pay to your regular internet connection and small fees to your VOIP service provider. Setting up conference calls with VOIP is very easy.
You can even set up your own VoIP network and don’t need any special equipment like PBX etc. You can call to any local telephone, mobile, long distance number or any international number through VoIP phones. More importantly, the person you are calling by using VoIP technology does not need any special equipment; just a regular telephone.
Many additional features like call forwarding, call tracing, reminders, caller ID are readily available in VoIP Phones. You can even assign a local telephone number to your VOIP phone set, and just need a fast internet connection to use your VOIP service anywhere in the world.
VoIP Dilemma
VoIP applications and services require data transfer in real time. During a call an interactive data voice exchange takes place. Unfortunately, TCP/IP is not well suited for this purpose. Sometimes you have to wait for a few seconds, to hear the other side answering. But with recent developments streaming the flow of voice signals has improved. PC-to-PC and PC-to-phone calling quality is still not as sharp as regular PSTN calls. However, with SIP phones and a reliable high speed internet connection there is little or no difference….and sometimes the quality is even better.
SIP Phones
SIP Phones are the phones which are specifically designed to work as VOIP phones. SIP phone can be considered as a network endpoint routing voice via its IP address. This allows a DID (direct inward dialing) number to move with a user. With SIP phones you can use advanced features like voice mail to email etc. Using a SIP phone also closely resembles a regular analog phone in look, feel, function, and ease of use.
FCC and VoIP
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates VOIP Services in the USA. They are in charge to create and promote telecommnuication regulations….such as VOIP services….to benefit consumers. In November, 2004 FCC ruled that individual States do not have the jurisdiction to impose taxes on VoIP services, which made the cost of VOIP services even more attractive in relation to standard PSTN phone services.
By: Michael Lemm
VOIP Telephones – Connecting You to the World Within a Budget
January 22nd, 2010
It would be an understatement to say that we are under hard times. Economic or financial problems plague many of us and we cannot deny the fact that the number of people who are getting directly affected are increasing by the day. Despite all of these troubles, we have to accept them as reality. We have to face these problems and attempt to survive each day by not only tightening our belts around our waists but also by being wise when it comes to the way we spend money. Thanks to a lot of technological advances, we can now save not only time but also money. One such example of this kind of technological advancement are VOIP telephones. These modern-day phones set the big difference between spending big for communications on one hand and spending just a fraction of the usual cost on the other.
Here are some important facts that you need to learn about the VOIP technology:
1. VOIP means Voice over Internet Protocol.
The main concept behind voice over internet protocol is the use of internet lines to connect one person to another. This is mainly used in place of the traditional telephone lines that are connected via wires and poles. It is also different from the cellular phone technology.
2. VOIP technology are improving day by day.
You do not have to worry about a kind of experimental technology that can go bust anytime. Since VOIP uses internet technology and connections, you can expect it to be as reliable as the internet connection you have in your area. The best thing about it is that you can expect it to become better every single day as the internet still plays a major part in our lives.
3. This kind of technology is downright affordable.
What puts VOIP telephones ahead is the fact that they are highly affordable. In fact, the amount of money you pay for a VOIP phone and service is a very small fraction of what you pay for either your home phone or your mobile phone. In some cases, you only get to pay for your internet service and the handset price. This means that you can make any kind of calls without paying as much as the price you pay for your regular home or mobile telephone bills.
4. This kind of technology brings you closer to anyone within your area, within the country or even abroad.
There is practically no limit to the location of the person you can connect to. You can contact those who use regular home phones, mobile phones and even other VOIP phones. You can make long distance and international calls. For any of these calls, you are free from any high fees.
5. Your budget will always be enough.
You will not have to think of a telephone bill that would take much of your monthly budget. You would not even think of limiting your calls just to cut back on calling bills. With the use of VOIP telephones, you can be assured that your budget, however small, can fit without having to sacrifice the number of calls you can make or the quality of the calls you have.
By: Derrick Richardson
